AG5B Axle Failures Aug 2014
The Grumman Owners Club the AYA has recently learned of two axle failures in AG-5B's.
Both occurred while taxiing and turning, no injuries
were reported, and aircraft damage was limited, but the situation concerns them,
lest something like this happen at a more critical time where the results could
have been much worse. This issue is
currently being worked by AYA Technical Director Jeff Simon and Safety Director Ron Levy in
cooperation with Kevin Lancaster of True Flight Aerospace, the type certificate
holder, with assistance from David Fletcher at Fletchair and others familiar
with the aircraft including Matair.
The AG-5B axels used 7075 aluminum for this part whereas the AA-5B's used 2014 aluminum. We have heard there was a rash of AG5B failures back in 2006-2007, all involving AGAC aircraft built in Greenville MS, s/n's 09997 - 10178 with no problems noted in the planes built by Tiger Aircraft in Martinsburg, WV. There have been no reports of any problems with the AA-5B aircraft from either Cleveland or Savannah. The failures have occurred, but are not limited to, cracks and possible corrosion across the four lower counter-bore bolt holes.
The AG-5B axels used 7075 aluminum for this part whereas the AA-5B's used 2014 aluminum. We have heard there was a rash of AG5B failures back in 2006-2007, all involving AGAC aircraft built in Greenville MS, s/n's 09997 - 10178 with no problems noted in the planes built by Tiger Aircraft in Martinsburg, WV. There have been no reports of any problems with the AA-5B aircraft from either Cleveland or Savannah. The failures have occurred, but are not limited to, cracks and possible corrosion across the four lower counter-bore bolt holes.
If
you know anyone outside the AYA and the Grumman Gang with an AG-5B, we would
appreciate passing this on to them.
In order to research the AG-5B axle failure issue further, we would like anyone who currently owns, or has in the past owned, an AG-5B to answer the following questions and return their answers to safety@aya.org.
1. What is the serial number of the AG-5B you owned/own?
2. Have you ever had an axle failure with this aircraft? If so, please send all available details including time in service.
3. Have the axles been inspected annually by removing the wheels?
4. Has any corrosion of the axle ever been noted?
5. If you have had no problems please let us know that, too, as well as any other information you think might help.
The answers to these questions will help us determine whether there is an issue requiring further fleet-wide attention. In the meantime, we suggest AG-5B owners, especially those whose aircraft were built by AGAC, pay special attention to this area during 50hour/150 hour/annual inspections and consider pulling the wheels to look before then.
We thank you in advance for your assistance.
Thank you,
Ron Levy
Safety Director, AYA
In order to research the AG-5B axle failure issue further, we would like anyone who currently owns, or has in the past owned, an AG-5B to answer the following questions and return their answers to safety@aya.org.
1. What is the serial number of the AG-5B you owned/own?
2. Have you ever had an axle failure with this aircraft? If so, please send all available details including time in service.
3. Have the axles been inspected annually by removing the wheels?
4. Has any corrosion of the axle ever been noted?
5. If you have had no problems please let us know that, too, as well as any other information you think might help.
The answers to these questions will help us determine whether there is an issue requiring further fleet-wide attention. In the meantime, we suggest AG-5B owners, especially those whose aircraft were built by AGAC, pay special attention to this area during 50hour/150 hour/annual inspections and consider pulling the wheels to look before then.
We thank you in advance for your assistance.
Thank you,
Ron Levy
Safety Director, AYA